The Detroit Red Wings are linked to making a splash and acquiring a first-line forward in a bold move.
NHL insider Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet links the Red Wings to trading for Pittsburgh Penguins star winger Bryan Rust. Rust would be a top-six winger and add some much-needed offense to the Red Wings’ offense.
“The Red Wings’ need for offensive help is so pressing, it’s seemingly begun to cause friction within the organization,” Sachdeva wrote. “At his end-of-season availability, captain Dylan Larkin lamented the fact that his club didn’t add any pieces at the trade deadline, sending a message to GM Steve Yzerman about what’s expected from the group before 2025-26 rolls around…
“Yzerman has brought in a couple additions up front, signing veteran James van Riemsdyk and former Winnipeg Jets forward Mason Appleton,” Sachdeva added. “But both are depth pieces who don’t figure to significantly alter the club’s approach. A 30-goal threat would do more to move the needle — Rust, a product of Pontiac, Mich., seems a natural fit, and such a homecoming might be easier to stomach for both the winger and the Penguins fanbase. Financially, there would be no issue here, as the Red Wings still have more than $12 million in cap space to work with.”
Rust would be a major addition to the Red Wings’ lineup and could help them get over the hump. He also would be a long-term addition as he has three years left on his six-year, $30.75 million deal.
Rust recorded 31 goals and 34 assists for 65 points in 71 games last season. He also helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
Red Wings Captain Was Frustrated With Lack of Moves
Detroit was competing for a playoff spot last season, but fell short as it was their ninth-straight year the Red Wings missed the playoffs.
After the season ended, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin took aim at general manager Steve Yzerman for not making a move.
“We didn’t gain any momentum from the trade deadline, and guys were kinda down about it. So it’d be nice to add something and bring a little bit of a spark on the ice and a morale boost as well,” Larkin said in his year-end availability on April 19.
In the offseason, the Red Wings haven’t done a ton either. So perhaps Yzerman makes a splash by acquiring someone like Rust to bolster the team’s offense.
Detroit finished the year averaging 2.86 goals per game, which ranks 22nd in the NHL.
Red Wings GM Keeping Options Open
Detroit has had a relatively quiet offseason.
Yzerman put the focus on adding more depth and secondary scoring instead of a big-name player. However, the Red Wings’ general manager is open to making a move with their cap space.
“Trying to be diligent, maybe patient. Just wait for the right player, the right opportunity. Whether it is in a trade or in free agency, to add to our lineup. And use our assets wisely if we can… We’ve got 12 players signed right now,” Yzerman said. “Our debate is do we sign another one to have that 13th forward? Or do we leave that spot open and see if something comes up here over the summer? Or leave it open and let all those guys earn that spot?”
The Red Wings have plenty of cap space, draft picks, and prospects to make a move for someone like Rust.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Insider: Red Wings Linked to Trading for Former 31-Goal Scorer in Major Move appeared first on Heavy Sports.